(Updated 4/20/2023)
TED –founded in 1984–has become the most coveted video stage in the digital content revolution. Thousands of speakers, coached by the TED staff, share their ideas in front of large audiences, while the videos frequently go viral and are viewed by millions of people.
If you’re unfamiliar with this extraordinary worldwide organization, TED invites visionary people to speak for 18 minutes in front of a live audience. TEDx events, presented in smaller venues worldwide, further extend the TED brand. the organization operates under a liberal copyright standard that encourages sharing its media content worldwide. However, as podcast sponsorship and advertising has grown, TED memberships are encouraged to fund its global growth.
While not all TED talks are brilliant, many are, and some are captivating masterpieces. Both well-known experts in their fields, as well as individuals who over remarkable stories and ideas, present stunning presentations.
Chris Anderson and Crowd Accelerated Innovation
Chris Anderson, who leads the team behind TED Talks and its conferences, spoke in July, 2010 about “crowd accelerated innovation,” an ecosystem of people who innovate, share their ideas, and help reduce the digital divide.
The “crowd” is you and me, someone in Kenja, a dreamer in the U.K., or a resident of Bangladesh where Chris Anderson once lived. The crowd is an electronic web of creative people whose talents encourage progress. And it’s only possible to share those talents due to YouTube, Vimeo, Twitter, Facebook, MobiTV, and other social networking sites.
Enhanced Learning and a “Self-Fueling Cycle”
As the world reaches nine billion people, Chris Anderson speaks about millions of contributors who share their knowledge to improve learning. In the process, innovators are changing our planet into a “wiser, smarter, more beautiful place.”
And this more beautiful place impacts business, commerce, government and health care. As the digital revolution progresses, new technologies will emerge combining Web videos with other technologies. In ten years, the YouTubes, Vimeo’s and Netflix’s will morph into new media that don’t yet exist..
Along the way, TED and similar organizations, as they drive the digital revolution, inspire, enlighten and educate us. For that, we’re grateful.
Podcast: Play in new window | Download
Subscribe: Apple Podcasts | Google Podcasts | Email | RSS | More